EVERGREEN VALLEY COLLEGE

SAN JOSE CITY COLLEGE

BUSINESS 82 -- INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS, ITS STRICTLY BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Bus-082: Introduction to Business

3.0 units COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces students to understand the business functions and practices as they have developed over time in the U.S. economic system. Students will be introduced to topics including organizational structure and behavior, management, marketing, financial and accounting, operations and information systems and ethical responsibilities of corporations. Special emphasis will be placed in the emergence of global business, its impact and the significance of small businesses.

PROFESSOR: Momoh T. Lahai

OFFICE: (RG 244 EVERGREEN)

PHONE: (408) 298-2181 ext. 3636 (24 hour voice mail)

(408) 933-8365 Cell

E-MAIL: Momoh.lahai@sjcc.edu

REQUIRED BOOKS AND MATERIALS:

1. Understanding Business, 9th edition or higher by Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh.

(ISBN 0-07-253876-7 without CD)

2.Scantron test answer forms (form # 882)

ALSO REQUIRED: E-mail & Internet access (at work, home, OR available free at the SJCC library & computer labs.). You must read your email at least twice per week.CLASS MEETINGS AND OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:There will be an Exam every week, and a final in week 6 (JULY 23, 2014)Very Important Class! Begin work on individual or group projects from week 2 of summer sessionCourse Rules:

Students are required to attend all lectures and must be on time. Any student who is absent the number of times the class meets in one week is subject to disqualification.

Late work is accepted up to five days after due date for only 75% of intended grade. No late work is accepted after five days, unless prior approval from the instructor.

There should be three major written examinations covering lectures during the course. Students must pass to receive a passing grade for the course.

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page 2Disability: If you have a disability, please let the instructor know what accommodations you may need to be successful in this course.

Importance of Academic Honesty: Cheating, copying OR helping others cheat or copy on a homework assignment or exam will not be tolerated and will result in a partial or total loss of points on that work for ALL students involved. In addition, students may be suspended from the course and disciplined by College administrators. Students shall routinely be asked to show a photo ID (such as a drivers license) when taking exams and giving speeches.Withdrawal Policy: If you decide to drop the class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see that you are officially dropped by (a) notifying the instructor, preferably in writing, or (b) calling StaReg at (408) 223-0300,OR (c) going online to http://WebReg.sjeccd.org. Your transcript will show a W grade if you drop it by required date. Later date drops will result in an F grade in the course (with rare exceptions). WEEKTOPICSCHAPTER

ASSIGNMENT

1Introduction to Course and Text

Taking Risks and Making Profits within the Dynamic Business Environment

Understanding How Economics Affects Business P, 1, 2

1Understanding How Economics Affects Business (continued)

Doing Business in Global Markets

Demanding Ethical and Socially Responsible Behavior2, 3, 4

2Demanding Ethical and Socially Responsible Behavior (continued)

How to Form a Business4, 5

2How to Form a Business (continued)

Entrepreneurship and Starting a Small Business

Section Review and Recap5, 6

3Management and Leadership

Adapting Organizations to Todays Markets7, 8

3Adapting Organizations to Todays Markets (continued)

Production and Operations Management

Section Review and Recap8, 9

4Motivating Employees and Building Self-Managed Teams

Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees10, 11

4Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees (continued)

Dealing with Employee-Management Issues and Relationships11, 12

5Section Review and Recap

Marketing: Helping Buyers Buy13

5Developing and Pricing Goods and Services

Distributing Products14, 15

6Using Effective Promotions

Section Review and Recap16

6Understanding Accounting and Financial Information17

6Financial Management

18

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces students to understand the business functions and practices as they have developed over time in the U.S. economic system. Students will be introduced to topics including organizational structure and behavior, management, marketing, financial and accounting, operations and information systems and ethical responsibilities of corporations. Special emphasis will be placed in the emergence of global business, its impact and the significance of small businesses.

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Contemporary Business Environment

2. The Global Business Environment

3. Business Ethics and Social Responsibility

4. Business Management

5. Human Resources Management

6. Marketing Management

7. Operations and Information Management

8. Accounting and Financial Management

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page 4COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Describe the macrocosmic condition of contemporary business environment.

2. Compare and contrast the U.S. economic system and other parts of the world.

3. Describe the international business environment and critical issues evolving trade.

4. Discuss the emergence of global economy and its implications to the U.S.

5. Identify the role of business organizations and its responsibilities to the society.

6. Define the scope of management from the process to its structure.

7. Express the essence of business planning.

8. Demonstrate the process of decision-making.

9. Discuss the role of entrepreneurship and its impact to the U.S. businesses.10. Differentiate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship and small business.

11. Examine different motivational theories and its relationship to employee performance and satisfaction.12. Analyze the different leadership styles and its relationship to employee motivation.

13. Bus. 82

page 413. Examine the process of human resources planning and staffing in business.

14. Examine legal and social challenges relating to contemporary workforce and business.

15. Describe the roles of the labor union and examine the collective bargaining process.

16. Examine the role of marketing as a business function and relate to the development of marketing strategies.

17. Describe the process operations planning examine the importance of quality management.

18. Distinguish the difference between accounting and financial functions and its importance in a successful business.

19. Discuss the U.S. financial system and the role of the Federal Reserve System.

EXAMINATIONS AND CLASS SESSIONS:

Each of the three exams will contain multiple choice and true-false questions emphasizing the text. Class meetings will be conducted on the San Jose City College campus before each scheduled exam. Attendance at these sessions is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, although not required. The professor will give you an opportunity to meet with your business plan project group members, and will answer any questions you might have about the material or the homework.

Students MUST TAKE ALL EXAMS. Make-up exams may be arranged if the student has a valid excuse for missing the scheduled exam. A student may be dropped from the course for missing an exam and failing to notify the instructor within 5 school days following the exam.

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page 5ASSIGNMENTS:

You are required to complete and turn in the assignments plus any others announced in or e-mailed to you. Note the due dates. Points are deducted for late work, i.e., work received in my mailbox after the due date, regardless of when it was sent or why it was late. In no case will work be accepted more than 2 weeks after the due date.

HOMEWORK MUST BE TYPED and must be submitted in the proper format as instructed. On all assignments, type your first and last names, Business 82 Telecourse, name/description of the assignment, and due date in the upper right hand corner of the first page of each assignment. If its more than one page, staple in the upper left corner and submit only the stapled, typed sheets-do NOT place homework in a folder or report cover. All written work should be checked for spelling and grammar errors and re-typed if necessary before you turn it in. You should ask someone else who has good English writing skills to help you with this since its often hard for us to see our own mistakes. All homework will be graded on the following criteria:

(1)conformity to the directions and requirements of the assignment;

(2)thorough coverage and apparent understanding of the assignment;

(3)originality and thoughtfulness;

(4)neatness of typing;

(5)few or no spelling and grammar errors;

(6)college level work;

(7)appropriate length (not too long or short);

Always save assignments and homework in a computer file, OR make a photocopy for yourself. Keep the backup copies until the end of the semester when you verify your grades (just in case homework gets lost in transit to me). I will keep some of your homework assignments for my records; if so, you will receive only a grade summary, not the original work submitted. DO NOT COPY any part of your homework from the Internet, a book, or magazine. DO NOT COPY any part of your homework from another student, past or present; copying will result in an F grade for both or all students involved.

HOW TO SUBMIT HOMEWORK and ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments SHOULD be BROUGHT to class or be hand carried to Momoh Lahais mailbox in the Reprographics (open Mon.-Friday.8 :00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).DO NOT FAX ANY WORK TO ME.

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page 6GRADING

Grades will be determined by students performance on the 3 examinations and 6 homework assignments. Points are assigned as follows:

10 In class tests.

1000 points Midterm exam.

100 points

Stock Market Tracking

50 points

Interview

50 points

Semester Project.

250 points

Final Exam.

150 points Total Possible = 1650 points

Your Final Grade will be based on % of all points earned as follows:

91-100% = A

61-70% = D

81-90% = B

0-59% = F

71-80% = C

COMMUNICATION AND NEWSLETTER:

The instructor needs to know if there are any particular problems you are experiencing which may affect your class performance. He may be able to make suggestions, refer you to others for help, or intervene in some way. The earlier you discuss these matters privately with the instructor, the more likely it is that a satisfactory solution can be found. Also, if you have a learning disability or physical need that will require special accommodations in this class, please make an appointment with the Disabled Students Program.

The instructor will periodically send you a course newsletter via e-mail containing important information including details of homework assignment requirements, room locations for Review Sessions or Exams, reminders, test results, etc.

CHANGES IN THIS SYLLABUS

It may be necessary to make changes in the course syllabus or requirements and if so, students will be notified by e-mail.

ASSINGMENT # 1 Stock Tracking Reports:- Due week 6 (7/21/14)The purpose of this assignment is to track the stocks of 3 companies over a period of seven weeks. The stocks chosen are to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), American Stock Exchange (AMEX) or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ). You can find the stocks in the business section of the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, or similar publications. The Internet is also a good place to look. Track and record your chosen stocks using the following criteria.

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page 7 You will have $10,000 of play money to buy publicly traded stocks (don't send me the bill)! When buying stocks, assume that there are no transaction fees to buy or sell the stock. Remember, come as close to buying as many shares of stock as you can while using up all of the $10,000 allocated for this assignment.

Each class member will purchase different stocks (your list MAY NOT match that of anyone else in class). The stocks chosen for this project are your preference. The quantity of shares of stock you purchase doesn't have to be the same for all stocks purchased. Don't buy all the same types of stocks. For example; you could buy the stock of one company in the high technology industry, another in sporting goods, or perhaps banking and finance. These are just examples--choose your own industries. Your selections should be diverse.

Track each stock by its unique trading symbol. For examples; International Business Machine Corporation uses ( IBM ), Intel Corporation uses ( INTC ) or General Motors Corporation uses (GM ). Plot the status of each company stock using an Excel spread sheet style report. Pick one day of the week (a Tuesday or a Friday, for example), then keep track of the closing price for that day every week for 7 weeks from your start date. At the end of the seven-week period, indicate if the investment was a positive or a negative gain for each company's stock. Compute the percentage of gain or loss for each Your report must include graphs for the stocks.VERY IMPORTANT.

You Must track your stocks for prices on the following dates.1) Friday, 6/20/14; 2) Tuesday, 6/24/14; 3) Friday, 6/27/14; 4) Tuesday 7/1/14 5) Tuesday 7/8/14 6) Friday, 7/11/14 7) Tuesday,7/15/14ASSINGMENT # 2--TWO INTERVIEW REPORTS:- Due 7/10/14INSTRUCTIONS:

Submit a written report of interviews with 2 different persons working in the business world including (A) an owner of a small business and (B) a manager in a large business organization. The report of EACH INTERVIEW should be about 2 pages in length (typewritten, double-spaced). When typing your report, you do not have to restate the questions below. Just type the NUMBER of the question and then give the answer. Please note the due date in your course syllabus. This assignment counts heavily in your final course grade.

A. SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. Examples: Owner of a nursery, restaurant, convenience food store (7-11, etc.), real estate company, bakery, video rental store, insurance company, art gallery, beauty salon, book store, building contractor, gardening service, apartment owner, etc. Ask the instructor for more ideas or the name of someone to interview.

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page 8INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.Name of person interviewed, title, company name, company address and phone number.

2.Why did you go into business for yourself? How long have you been in business?

3.Why did you choose this particular kind of business?

4.Which type of ownership is the business operating under (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation?)

5.What problems did you encounter in starting your business? (Examples: obtaining money, finding the right location, attracting customers, getting good employees, collecting money from clients, etc.) List at least 3 or 4 problems.

6.To what extent is your business affected by general economic conditions, such as a recession?

7.How much competition is there in your type of business and what do you do to compete with the others? (Examples: better service, lower prices, advertising, longer hours, etc.)

8.What advice would you give to someone wanting to go into business today?

B. MANAGER IN A LARGE BUSINESS ORGANIZATION. Examples: Manager of a bank branch, retail chain store (Safeway, Longs, Macys, Orchard Supply, K Mart, etc.), manufacturing plant (IBM, Lockheed, G.E., Intel, etc.), utility company (PG&E, Pacific Bell, San Jose Water Company, etc.), government agency (social services, tax assessors office, etc.), educational institution (public or private school or college), stock brokerage firm, hospital, etc. Again, feel free to ask the instructor for suggestions.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

1.Name of person interviewed, title, company name, company address and phone number.

2.Is this a profit-making or non-profit company? Which type of ownership is the business operating under?

3.How did you obtain this management position; that is, what background and experience enabled you to get the job? How long have you been a manager?

4.What skills, abilities, and knowledge are most important in successfully performing your job?

5.What kinds of problems do you spend most of your time on? (Examples: planning, budgeting, customer relations, personnel, quality control, report-writing, etc.)

6.What major changes do you anticipate in your industry in the next 5-10 years? (Examples: computerization, government regulations, more foreign competition, changing workforce, environmental problems, decreased demand for your product, technology change, etc.)

7.To what extent is your business affected by general economic conditions, such as a recession?

1. What advice would you give to someone wanting to go into management today?

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page 9ASSIGNMENT 3 Semester project. Due week 5 (July 17th 2014)Think of a business for this project, think it through and write a project paper addressing all areas below.

1. How is it different? What makes you think that your business is unique?Your underlying business idea doesnt need to be original, but you need to establish unique selling points (USPs) if you want people to buy from you rather than your competitors. You have to offer something new or a unique way of offering what you have in mind. Is your proposition solving a problem? What kind of problem will your idea solve?

Are you filling a gap in the market, or what is missing in the distribution chain?

Building on an existing offering? Are you innovating an existing product or service?2. Is there a market, and is it big enough for your idea?Thorough market research is needed before moving forward with your business idea. Do or will people NEEd your product or service?

Who will need it and why? Is there any substitute that can solve the same need?How much will they need it? Is this a one-time need or this is an ongoing need?You need to ensure there will be sufficient and sustainable demand to support your business and enable it to thrive, grow and expand.Bus. 82

page 103. Whats the business model?How much will you charge your customers, and why ? Think of supply and demand.

Can you think of additional revenue streams? What improvement can you make in the business to stay in the number one position in your customers mind? Research is vital to determine whether your business model is viable; this should include analysis of how your competitors have structured their businesses.

The most common forms of business are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and S corporation. A more recent development to these forms of business is the limited liability company (LLC) and the limited liability partnership (LLP). Because each business form comes with different tax consequences, you will want to make your selection wisely and choose the structure that most closely matches your business's needs.

Read more: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/75118#ixzz2QjsfOfBq4. Is the price right? Think about the 4Ps- product, price, place, and promotion.Its no good having a winning product or service if your customers cant afford to pay for it. However, you need a decent margin (profit) for a sustainable business. Talk to your potential customers to find out whether the pricing is feasible.5. What will stop others from copying you?If youve ever watched Dragons Den youll have heard no doubt heard this question: Whats to stop a big company coming along and stealing your idea? Have strong USPs such as exceptional customer service and wherever you can protect your intellectual property. Can you innovate?Bus. 82

page 116. Do you know your customer?Arm yourself with as much information as you possibly can about your target customer, and listen to them at every opportunity.What does a typical customer look like? How do they behave? What do they most value from a product or service like yours? Where can you find them? This is about advertisement and promotion media. What marketing methods do they respond to?

7. Can you make a profit?How much will it cost to produce your idea and get your potential customers excited? (Supply chain management: taking into account manufacturing transportation

supplier costs raw material, or semi-finished products.salaries; overheads; office equipment, etc)? How much can you sell your product or service for, and how much do you need to sell to not only cover your costs, but make a profit? Is this achievable?Bus. 82

page 128. Do you have sufficient funding to get the venture off the ground?You need enough cash to support yourself and your business until it becomes sustainable. If you dont have the funding in place, can you raise it?How?

Family funding

Banks or financial institutions9. Do you have the necessary experience, attitude and skills to pull it off?Even if you have the best idea in the world, without the passion, drive and commitment to see it through,sound leadership, and effective management

it still stands a very good chance of failing.

10. Is there scope for growth?Can you expand on your idea in the future by adding new products or services, entering new locations, or improving your original proposition?